Newsreels
Sir — TikTok influencers and celebrities are increasingly taking over from journalists as the main source of news for young people, according to a report published by the Reuters Institute. This is worrying because a study conducted by NewsGuard reported that almost 20% of the videos that appear after a TikTok search contains misinformation. But can influencers really be blamed for taking on the role of journalists when many mainstream journalists on prime-time television seem to have taken on the role of entertainers? The line between news and entertainment has been blurred by the media, TikTok has just followed the trend as it usually does.
Sukanya Dutta, Calcutta
Out of step
Sir — The governor of Tamil Nadu, R.N. Ravi, set a new low by dismissing V. Senthil Balaji from the council of ministers without consulting the chief minister, M.K. Stalin (“Governor sacks first, asks later”, June 30). The order was later kept in abeyance after Stalin threatened to take legal steps. But the damage has already been done. Ravi has overstepped his constitutionally defined role. This is not the first time that Ravi has done so either. Such instances of gubernatorial overreach pose a threat to the democratic fabric of India.
Abhijit Roy, Jamshedpur
Sir — R.N. Ravi is not the only governor to meddle in the functioning of an elected government. Governors in Maharashtra and West Bengal and lieutenant-governors in Delhi have set a dangerous precedent of doing so with impunity. The Constitution clearly lays out the ambit of a governor’s powers. He or she cannot step out of this. The president should impress upon governors the importance of staying neutral and not engaging in ego battles with chief ministers.
Bal Govind, Noida
Sir — R.N. Ravi’s unilateral dismissal of V. Senthil Balaji is not only unprecedented but also arbitrary. A press release from the Raj Bhavan indicated that the governor’s action was based on the apprehension that the minister’s continuation in the state council could adversely impact the ongoing investigation against him by the Enforcement Directorate. This is absurd. It is the prerogative of a chief minister to advise the governor when it comes to appointing or removing a minister. The Constitution does not grant governors any discretionary power in such matters. One wonders if the governor was acting at the behest of his political masters in New Delhi.
S.K. Choudhury, Bengaluru
Sir — The actions of R.N. Ravi are startling, to say the least. Not only did he overstep his constitutional mandate but he also went against the principle of natural justice where a person is deemed innocent unless proven guilty in a court of law. It is no secret that the Enforcement Directorate is used by the Central government to target Opposition leaders, making the charges against V. Senthil Balaji even more suspicious.
Bidyut Kumar Chatterjee, Faridabad
Sir — The frequent disagreements between R.N. Ravi and M.K. Stalin leave a lot to be desired. The fact that the office of the governor has become more partisan in several Opposition-ruled states does not bode well for the spirit of federalism enshrined in our Constitution.
M. Jeyaram, Sholavandan, Tamil Nadu
Caring community
Sir — It is heartening that the Calcutta chapter of the Alzheimer’s and Related Disorders Society of India plans to build a ‘dementia village’ near Joka (“Village for people with dementia to come up near Joka”, June 30). Conditions like Alzheimer’s and dementia lead to a severe decline in mental abilities. People afflicted with these ailments require round-the-clock care and support. The concept of a community for those suffering from such diseases has been implemented in parts of Europe before. It will allow such patients to lead a life as close to normal as possible.
But this does not absolve family members of their responsibilities. While their memory might be failing them, meeting relatives can be a pleasant experience for such patients.
Kiran Agarwal, Calcutta
Lost glory
Sir — The intellectual class of West Bengal, euphemistically termed the ‘bhadraloks’, has long held a pivotal role in shaping the culture, politics and policy in the state. From producing timeless cinema and dominating political power to setting policies on welfare, reforms and State interventions, this segment of Bengali society always performed an outsized role. The cultural power that bhadraloks had remains something to aspire to. The power that they had has definitely diminished in real terms, but the hold that they have over people’s minds is as strong as ever.
Kamal K. Bose, Calcutta
Parting shot
Sir — It is saddening that the actor, Alan Arkin, is no more. Michael Douglas’s and Alan Arkin’s witty dialogues in The Kominsky Method always bore a kernel of truth in them. Even someone like me who avoids sitcoms was addicted to the show.
Dyutiman Bhattacharya, Calcutta
